Taiwan is an island nation off the south-east coast of mainland China, governed independently as the Republic of China, with a vibrant democracy, a high-tech semiconductor industry and dramatic mountain spines.
Geography & landscape
Taiwan sits in Eastern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 36,193 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Taipei, lies near coordinates 24°, 121°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Taiwan.
People & society
The population of Taiwan is around 23M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Mandarin Chinese, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Taiwan is structured as a semi-presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Taipei, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Taipei and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Taiwan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Taiwan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Taipei, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +886, and clocks are set to the CST (UTC+8) time zone. ISO standards identify Taiwan as TW (alpha-2) and TWN (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇼, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Taipei | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Asia | — |
| Population | 23M | people |
| Area | 36,193 | km² |
| Currency | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) | — |
| Calling code | +886 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CST (UTC+8) | standard time |
| Government type | Semi-presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TW | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TWN | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 24 | degrees |
| Longitude | 121 | degrees |
Did you know?
Taiwan produces over 60% of the world's contract semiconductors — most of which come from a single company, TSMC.
